Aug 11, 2018 2 min read

Washington City Council members plans to discuss the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure next month before they begin budget discussions for next year.

“At some point we need to discuss our stormwater management system,” Councilman Ken Westcott said at Thursday’s meeting. “We’re starting to lose more and more of these storm drains.”

Council had started discussing repairs to the stormwater infrastructure in February, weeks after a 4-foot sinkhole developed in a backyard at the corner of Duncan Avenue and Fourth Street. The hole, 4 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep, sits next to an in-ground swimming pool. The property owner, Ken Dyson, said it developed overnight Jan. 15.

Council voted Thursday to advertise for bids on the repair project for the sinkhole, which was caused by a collapsed storm sewer conveyance tunnel. The city has had several similar issues with its aging and failing stormwater system, many parts of which are about 100 years old, Westcott said in February.

Westcott said Thursday that the city has had “at least 10” stormwater maintenance projects this year relating to the age of the system. He said council is planning to initiate a fee to all property owners which will go toward renovating the system.

The fee was initially discussed in February as a $3 to $5 monthly fee per household within the city, including tax-exempt entities such as churches and nonprofits. Westcott said Thursday council plans to initiate that fee beginning next year and that properties with more lateral lines and usage will have larger fees.

“It’s fair to everybody – that’s the most important thing,” Westcott said.

Westcott said the city has been planning storm drain improvements for two years and has raised $2 million for it by refinancing bonds. That money, along with the collection of the fees, will be used only for stormwater system improvements in the city, he said, which could cost up to $7 million.

In other action Thursday, council voted to advertise for bids on its solid waste and recycling contracts. The city is in two separate three-year contracts that expire at the end of the year. The cost over the three years for solid waste with Waste Management is $1,636,605, and the cost for recycling with Republic is $358,584 over three years.

Mayor Scott Putnam said he is hopeful the city will have a new contract in place by the end of the year.